PHARMACISTS have backed the Government’s tobacco Generation End Game (GEG), amid intense opposition from tobacco companies and calls to postpone the policy.
The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) also urged the public to “ignore the noises from the tobacco companies” and “do the right thing” by supporting the Health Ministry’s Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022.
“Do not buy into the argumentative narrative that the GEG will help drive the illicit trade of tobacco and electronic cigarettes,” MPS president Amrahi Buang added in a statement yesterday (July 30).
“With the right enforcement and efforts from all stakeholders, this Bill will be a success.
“The number of non-smokers far outnumber the smokers, and hence they (non-smokers) will all be grateful when we transition into a smoke-free country.”
The Government’s GEG plan aims at outlawing smoking for the next generation. In doing so, it proposes penalising the sale of cigarettes, tobacco and vape to anyone born after 2007 with a maximum RM20,000 fine to sellers.
The Bill also provides a maximum RM5,000 fine to those possessing, buying or smoking cigarettes or e-cigarette products – i.e. teenagers and children currently aged 15 years and younger.
Despite concerns being raised over potential abuse of power and disproportionate criminal punishments for juveniles, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is trying to push the Bill forward in an effort to reduce treatment costs for the Government and save future lives.
“Bill will help save costs and lives”
Amrahi said the Bill will help to reduce the number of tobacco smoking-linked deaths in the country and save lives, estimated at around 400 every week in Malaysia.
The Bill will also help reduce the costs of treating smoking-related diseases and those related to e-cigarettes. An estimated RM8.2 bil is estimated to treat just three smoking-related diseases in 2030, according to Government projections.
Besides that, he said, the future generation will no longer be exposed to the many harmful side effects of nicotine, which can be found in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
The side effects include cancer, coronary artery diseases, plaque build-up in the arteries and a disturbance in one’s sleep pattern.
Those who suffer from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), on the other hand, need not worry about the harmful effect of second-hand smoke, which Amrahi said can further “exacerbate” their conditions.
“By curbing the sale of tobacco and other smoking products to anyone born after 2007, Malaysia will experience a significant impact in the prevention and controlling of NCDs,” he said.
“Hence, MPS is writing in to show our full and utmost support of this Bill, and make Malaysia a tobacco-free country by 2040.”
The Bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 27) and is scheduled for debates next week.
On Thursday (July 28), the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) of Health, Science and Innovation recommended delaying the GEG for three years to “strengthen preparations” for effective implementation and give more time for the Government to prepare a “proper” inter-governmental enforcement framework. – July 31, 2022
Main photo credit: WilayahKu